Collection: Fiction & Poetry Anthology Authors
AB King (In Memoriam)-("Blood Moon Rising Anthology: Chasing the Dream") ("The UnValentine Anthology: Fuzzy") AB has appeared at our Victoria Double Dog Authors' Tour events. He is a prairie boy relocated to beautiful Vancouver Island to write and ponder the world from the perspective of his spawn and their spawn.
Allan Jefferson Reid-( "A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, The Guardian")("The Platinum Collection: Son-of a Bitch") Allan currently resides in Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada, where he is best known for his monthly restaurant reviews Voracious in Monday Magazine, an imprint of Black Press. Allan, an avid reader, came to writing late in life, discovering, to paraphrase Groucho Marx, that he wouldn’t want to read any book he had written. A revelation that led him to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in English, from Athabasca University. Allan lives and travels with Dennis, his husband of thirty-six years.
Astra Crompton-("Blood Moon Rising Anthology: Primal Crusades - Catharsis") ("Anthology for a Green Planet: Dumpster Garden" and "The Shore") Astra appears regularly at our Victoria Double Dog Authors' Tour events. Astra Crompton is an artist, author and creator based in Victoria, Canada. Using multiple mediums to bring her visions and worlds to life, she has been creating for over twenty years. She brings a diverse approach to creative consulting, holistically coaching others' projects to create a richer, more polished end product. Learn more at www.astracrompton.com
Brianna Kempe-("Blood Moon Rising Anthology: Lilith's Devotion") ("The UnValentine Anthology: Leather Bound Love") Brianna is an honorary Canadian who lives in Ohio, USA. She holds a Bachelor of Creative Writing from Miami University. Brianna writes when she can balance it with work, motherhood and volunteering.
C.E. Atkinson- ("A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, The Picnic") affectionately known to her readers as Granny Char, is a storyteller whose words have warmed hearts and sparked imaginations for decades. Nestled in her cozy home surrounded by books, plants, and the laughter of visiting grandchildren, Charlotte crafts short stories, poetry, and whimsical children's tales inspired by the everyday magic of family life. Her writing is infused with gentle wisdom, playful curiosity, and a timeless charm that appeals to readers of all ages.
Daphne Matiza-("The Platinum Collection: The Great Pandemic") Daphne is a creative writer and poet who believes in maximizing the use of technology to bring people together and draw attention to issues that matter. She is passionate about youth empowerment and community development and contributes where she can to society through the written word and public speaking. Her journey began at age fourteen, when she won a poetry award in a local newspaper, and she hasn't looked back since. Daphne lives in Harare, Zimbabwe.
D.K. Weeds - ("A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, Skye: AAThe Stormborn Legend") has his own author's page.
Elle Hawkweed- ("A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, The Otter Side of the Harbour") has her own author's page.
Gordon Henderson-(Anthology for a Green Planet: Goblin Warming) has appeared at our Victoria Double Dog Authors' Tour events. He has lived in Victoria his entire life and really wouldn't want to live anywhere else. He is an avid writer and this is his first published piece.
Grigory Lukin- ("A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, The Beluga Spy Who Came in From the Cold") is a Russian-American-Canadian author, filmmaker, and adventurer. Born in Tomsk, Siberia, he moved to the U.S. in 2003 and later settled in Quebec City. A lifelong reader and writer, Lukin has published works spanning philosophy, self-help, and travel, including Pacific Crest Tutorial, inspired by his 2022 hike from Mexico to Canada. His other titles include Taoism-101, Atheism-101, and Let’s Retire Young. Lukin also creates experimental sci-fi films using found footage, such as Please Don’t Send Help. Fluent in multiple languages, he blends curiosity and humour into projects that challenge norms and explore life’s big questions. His stories have appeared in Ruth and Ann's Guide to Time Travel, Black Cat Weekly, and Pulp Asylum. (
Janilee Porter-Hirshe-("Blood Moon Rising Anthology: (Poems) The Mormon Elder's Shadow, Master, Gaslit, Unbearable, No One Won, Sorrow Song, Autumn Run, A Word With Myself, Soul Remembering"). Janelle has been a resident of many Canadian cities, most recently in BC; she currently lives in Bolivia and is an Eco/Voluntourism Entrepreneur. She has a Masters (MA) in Conflict Management & Prevention: Ethnic, Polictical & Security Issues and is currently working on a book about recovering from domestic violence in the wilds of Bolivia.
Jason A. N. Taylor-("A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, Vanishing Blackfish") is a Canadian author celebrated for his sharp wit and satirical take on politics, technology, and modern life. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, he debuted with Owls, Doughnuts, and Democracy (2024), a humorous exploration of grassroots politics and direct democracy. His follow-up, Security and Other Shitty Jobs (2025), offers biting parables about work and survival in the gig economy. Taylor’s writing blends irreverent humour with keen social commentary, appealing to readers who enjoy bold, thought-provoking stories. When not writing, he explores Vancouver Island, debates democracy, and occasionally indulges in his love of fishing.
Jesse Blair-Jessie writes short stories ("Blood Moon Rising Anthology": Blood is not Enough) ("The UnValentine Anthology": Fundamental Challenges)("Anthology for a Green Planet": Back to the Land) and blogs. She is of Mohawk & Irish/Scottish descent. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, David. She attends the University of British Columbia, where she studies Psychology and First Nations Studies. She enjoys ballroom dancing, painting and writing. Jessie is a regular at our Vancouver Double Dog Authors' Tour events.
Josh MacLeod-("Anthology for a Green Planet: The Tale of the Eldest") - Herein is the record of Josh MacLeod: male, mid-thirties, this is his second published piece. He suspects that his greatest contribution to being green will be when his ashes are spread over the earth when he dies to act as a fertilizer for new life but is in no hurry to test this theory out.
Kelly Duff-("The UnValentine Anthology: S.M.A") Kelly has loved reading and writing since she was a little girl. "S.M.A." is her first published short story. Kelly lives in Victoria, BC with her twin sister and their three cats. Kelly is a regular at our Double Dog Dare author readings.
Kenton Moore-("Blood Moon Rising Anthology: The First") Kenton loves to tell stories and has been writing since the age of 16. He has explored screenwriting for film and animation, writing for comic books, writing books and short stories. He has a few journalism credits, a children's novella, "Legend of the Sun Prince", and a blog/magazine, "Great Northern Gothic". See more of Kenton's work on Facebook @KentonMooreBooks.
Kim Kelln - (A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, The Old Man and the Sea") was raised on the prairies and lives in landlocked Alberta, but he’s always had a love of the ocean. A certified diver, he has explored the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Caribbean, as well as the colder lakes of his home province. In real-life, Kim is officially retired, having spent his working life as a data quality analyst and data architect. He has written, produced, and directed a feature-length documentary and two short narrative films, and co-written and co-produced a six-part television documentary. He hosts two writing groups,one for screenwriters and filmmakers, and another for novelists,and is the creator of the Hank Retzer noir mystery series. His debut novel, The Missing Singer, is slated for release in early 2026, with the sequel, The Gambling Cowboy, currently in the works
Kristoffer Law-("The UnValentine Anthology: Happy Anniversary") Kristoffer has been an avid reader since the age of three, and his love of the written word is boundless. "Happy Anniversary" is his first published short story. He has since also published a novel, "The Jagged Tree", and is working on a sequel called "The 4th Wall". He lives in Victoria with his lovely wife Risa and their cat, Jana. Kristoffer has read his work at our Double Dog Dare author readings since moving back to Victoria.
Lawrence Nault - ("A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, The Lost Constellations") is a Canadian author and filmmaker whose stories trace the seams between nature, technology, and belonging. His YA eco-fantasy and speculative fiction often center youth agency, environmental stewardship, and the moral puzzles of a networked world. He hosts the narrative podcast “Stone & Signal,” produces documentary projects about creativity and place, and designs open-source classroom resources that bridge fiction with citizen science. Ocean-focused threads in his work include the novel Fingerprints in the Water and the W.A.V.E. 4000 microplastics initiative. He lives in Alberta but writes with a coast-to-coast imagination, drawing on rivers, badlands, and the long memory of water.
Mademoiselle Noir -("The Platinum Collection: Eclipse of the Soul") M. Noir, aka Fatima Farooq, is a gifted storyteller who derives her creative energy from the allure of nature and the intricate tapestry of human emotions. With a passion for exploring the darker facets of life, Mademoiselle Noir artfully conveys profound sentiments through her poetic prose, leaving readers captivated and deeply moved. Six of her finely crafted haikus found their home in the esteemed 'Blossom' anthology, a publication by the renowned 300 South Media Group. Mademoiselle Noir lives in the United Arab Emirates.
Melissa Moose-("The Platinum Collection: Sleeping Beaten") South American born, Canadian, American raised, artist, photographer, author, domestic violence expert, model, psychologist, outlier and comedian. Melissa writes from the foundation of a loved childhood where technology, education, and nature concurrently converged. She developed in a landscape that looked different than everyone else. It wasn't smooth, but it made her sharper. This unique perspective, posture, and programming was built by diametrically opposed elders, and personal refusal to "pop collars". Her pieces gather the traumatic research from the real-life family fallout, bravely bubbly, brashly alchemized into therapeutic gold, open source. PTSDD is her natural response to "life that's one big joke".
Monique Jacob - ("A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, Swamp Tide") has her own author's page
Pam Desjardine-("The UnValentine Anthology: Chance Encounter") Pam was born in Whitehorse, Yukon and travelled much as a child, returning to the north as an adult to reclaim her roots. Pam has been writing stories and poetry since Junior High School and has a keen interest in indigenous practices including mysticism, shamanism, traditional food and medicine cultures. She currently lives in Kelowna with her daughter, who is also a budding author. Pam was a regular at our Double Dog Dare author readings in Victoria before they moved.
Peninah Rost -("The UnValentine Anthology: Beyond Ornately Carved Doors") Peninah is a recovering teacher who has just returned to Victoria after living in the Kootneys for several years. Her idea of a good time is to visit a Farmers' Market, soak in a hot spring or hole up in a coffee shop and tap away at her laptop, preferably all three in one day. Peninah is working on a novel called "Help Wanted" from which this short story is a deleted scene. Peninah was a regular of our Double Dog Dare author readings in Victoria, and we hope that continues now that she has returned.
P.N. Holland - has his own author's page
Presley K. Lane (A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, The Waves Between Us") writes with a playful heart and a deep love for stories that celebrate the magic of connection. After quitting social media to focus on something real, she finally followed her lifelong dream of writing a sapphic romance. With her wife’s loving nudge,“Great, when will you start?”,Presley brought to life a world filled with awkward crushes, family quirks, and the kind of love that heals. A poet at heart, she’s known for her love notes that earn both laughter and eye rolls at home. Presley believes that joy, imperfection, and a touch of mischief make the best kind of stories
Randi-Anne Dey - ("A Whale of aTale: Anthology of the Sea, Saltwater Secrets") a fantasy author based in Victoria, British Columbia. A dog groomer by day and writer/gamer/reader by night, she brings rich worlds of magic, dragons, shifters, and intrigue to life in her novels, including The King’s Mystic and Dragonscales Divide. Passionate about storytelling, Randi has been immersed in fantasy culture for years, teaching medieval dance and attending Faerieworlds festivals. She hopes her stories will draw you away from the modern world and into a land of intrigue and fantasy, where magic, dragons, shifters, fae, vampires and kings roam.
Ron Kearse - has his own author's page
Sara Ashton -(The Platinum Collection: Forget") Sara is a 24-year-old English and Creative Writing graduate from the South Wales Valleys, United Kingdom. Sara has been published by the independent press Green Ink Poetry digitally and in print.
Sébastien Streit - has his own author's page
S.M. King -(The UnValentine Anthology: Vide Cor Meum") S.M. is a wonderful lady with a very drole sense of humour who lives in Saskatchewan. Her favourite saying is: "In the face of the age of the universe, all this means NOTHING." She finds this allows her to put aside false notions of relevancy and misplaced urges to leave a legacy and simply enjoy every breath and every smile.
S.M. Perkins Carr -(The Platinum Collection: The Sea Pool") aka Shannon Perkins Carr, is an author, poet, and certified music therapist. An experienced songwriter who often dabbled in poetry, she began writing in earnest after dreaming the first line of her debut novel, Searching for Persephone, which she self-published in 2022. Since then, she has been following the writing muse, crafting poetry, short stories and a further novel-in-progress while continuing to work as a music therapist and classical guitarist. Originally from North Vancouver, Shannon studied composition and guitar at UBC and went on to complete an MA in music therapy at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. She lived in the UK for ten years, working as a music therapist and charity administrator. In 2019, she returned to Canada’s west coast, settling in Victoria.
Srijani Rupsha Mitra-(The Platinum Collection: The Elitist Trail and On Visiting Sanchi") Rupsha is a poet and writer from Kolkata, India, with works published in London Reader, Mekong Review, North Dakota Quarterly, Ekstasis by Christianity Today, Resonate, South Seattle Emerald, Indian Literature, Muse India, Madras Courier, Pif Magazine, Bazinega Zine, Dhaka Tribune, We Have Food At Home Blog. Her book of poems titled 'Smoked Frames' is forthcoming from JLRB Press. She loves to delve into topics of spirituality in poetry.
Thomas Keesman-("Blood Moon Rising Anthology: A Republic of Dogs", "The Great Seattle Progress of 1874") ("The UnValentine Anthology: The Farmer Takes A Wife") Thomas has been a constant reader since early childhood. At twelve, he decided to write science fiction. Now retired from provincial public service, he finally gets to do just that. His first novel, "Extraordinaire" was published in 2013. His current project is a collection of linked short stories. Keesman lives in Victoria, BC. and is a regular at our Double Dog Dare author reading events in Victoria.
Vince Galati-("Anthology for a Green Planet: In the Cold") ("The UnValentine Anthology: A Dream Infernal")- Vince is originally from Ontario but now lives in Courtney, BC with his girlfriend. He’s father to a wonderful young man and has finally set out to take his sense of humour and storytelling expertise to the printed word. We presented the Double Dog Dare events, and he rose to the challenge. His stories in our first two anthologies are his first published works and we hear there’s a novel in progress. He was a regular at our Victoria DDD events prior to their move to Courtney.
Werner Roberts-("Anthology for a Green Planet: Dear Diary 12032013+) - Werner is just a guy living on an island in the Pacific with an ancient cat who drools when he sleeps and a twelve-year-old son who loves to wake the cat. He says that the best job he ever had was being a father. And referee. He writes. He reads. He is a lifelong martial artist who bemoans the death of chivalry. Soldier, sailor, mushed dog sleds in races, travelled nine hundred and fifty miles by canoe. Several times. Regular, average guy.
William Joseph - ("A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, Sonar Signals: Splash") is an Australian-born Aboriginal author and artist whose creative journey spans music, performance poetry, and literature. Now in his late 50s, William draws deeply from his cultural heritage and lived experiences to craft works that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth. A seasoned performer, William, first found his voice through music and spoken word, captivating audiences with rhythmic storytelling and lyrical reflections on identity, resilience, and justice. William’s work bridges the personal and the political, the poetic and the procedural. Whether on stage or on the page, he remains committed to amplifying voices often left unheard and shedding light on stories that demand to be told.
Yana Spencer-("The Platinum Collection: Plummerias Don't Wilt") Yana is a British-Ukrainian journalist and women’s rights activist. She runs Tamu, a non-profit organization which empowers vulnerable women and girls around the world through baking therapy. She splits her time between working with women, training staff at international NGOs about women's rights and gender-based violence, as well as writing. Her literary work, like her charitable work, focuses on women’s experiences – frequently through the medium of food. From the deserts of Rajasthan to the plains of the Maasai Mara, the mountainous coast of Oman and the bustling streets of Hanoi – Yana takes her readers on a journey of discovery of women’s lives. https://matadornetwork.com/read/tamu-bakery-helping-empower-women-around-world/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_4JbkQ5Y68
Zoe Duff - (A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea, Tales of the Salma Denea") has her own author's page